NCCR North-South - Research Partnerships for Sustainable Development

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PAMS East Africa

Partnership Actions (PAMS) East Africa

Completed PAMS Projects

Institutionalising the Water Resources Users Associations (WRUAs) FORUM of Ewaso Ng'iro North River Basin, KenyaDuration: August 2011 to July 2012Executing Agency: CETRAD, Water Resources Management Authority (WRMA)Partners: CDELocated in the northwestern highland–lowland systems of Mt. Kenya, this PAMS continued the work of a previous project implemented in the region. In the prior project, a forum was established that brought together 20 Water Resource User Associations (WRUAs) belonging to the Ewaso Ngiro north river basin. This PAMS secured the long-term existence of the forum. In addition to the WRUAs, the forum involves government institutions and NGOs. The activities implemented in this PAMS included drafting the forum’s constitution and bylaws, registering the forum, implementing the first annual general meeting, and leading a basin-wide excursion to sensitise forum members to the water situation in the river basin. The project concluded by turning the forum over to its members.

Voices of Youth: Initiating Social Learning Processes Through The Use of VideosDuration: February to October 2011Executing Agency: VidemusPartners: Swiss TPHTanzania has one of the highest teenage pregnancy rates in the world. In this PAMS project, adolescents in Dar es Salaam and Mtwara Town in Tanzania planned, designed, and developed videos on teenage pregnancy with the facilitation of the Kenya-/Swiss-based video producers Videmus. These videos were then presented to and discussed with policymakers in a workshop. The PAMS raised awareness among all involved participants – youths and policymakers – and contributed to youth empowerment. They experienced their voices being heard and policymakers taking an interest in their lives. Cooperation with Videmus contributed to a very professional implementation of the original project idea – the DVD is a source of valuable information that may be used in the future. Download DVD flyer (PDF 172 KB) View video on production processView video by youth in Dar es Salaam View video by youth in Mtwara

Enhancing RWUAs Potential through Training and Regional Integration in the upper Ewaso Ngiro basin, KenyaDuration: January 2009 to December 2010Executing Agency:Water Resources Management Authority (WRMA), NanyukiPartners: CDEThis PAMS project was part of a larger research-based initiative for sustainable water management in the Mt. Kenya region. Its main objective was to strengthen River Water User Associations (RWUAs) and to promote integration between RWUAs from upstream and downstream. The project succeeded in fostering negotiation processes on the use of water. As a result of the PAMS, a Water Forum was established, and twenty RWUAs agreed to participate in this institutionalised form of dialogue. The Kenyan Water Resources Management Authority (WRMA) included the Forum in its water governance agenda.

Model-based capacity building for sustainable water managementDuration: March 2009 to November 2010Executing Agency:Centre for Integrated Training and Research in Arid and Semi-Arid Land Development (CETRAD), NanyukiPartners: CDEThis PAMS tested the practicality of a software which simulates the effect of different water management schemes on water flow and agricultural production along a river in a catchment area (upper Ewaso Ngiro river). This software was presented to stakeholders in Kenya. Different scenarios were created by the stakeholders and tested with the simulation model, with the help of researchers. The PAMS showed that the software fulfils its aim of providing a sound basis for decision-making. However, the use of the software requires specific technical knowledge. A more user-friendly interface needs to be developed which allows stakeholders to use the software directly.

Strengthening Resilience through a Participatory Approach to Improved Management of Human Waste in Unplanned Urban Settlements in Chang'ombe, Dodoma, TanzaniaDuration: March 2008 to April 2009Executing Agency: Maji na Maendeleo ya Dodoma (MAMADO), Dodoma; Ifakara Health Research and Development Centre (IHRDC), Dar es SalaamPartners: Sandec/EawagIn an unplanned settlement in Dodoma, Tanzania, inhabitants selected three model sanitation facilities out of a range of alternatives,to be constructed in public places (e.g. a school). The inhabitants expressed their willingness to adopt these facilities for their own homes, but could not afford them. After the PAMS was completed, the Swiss State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO) established a microfinance system which enables inhabitants to purchase the facilities. This PAMS was embedded in NCCR North-South research dealing with the participatory planning of improved sanitation systems in resource-scarce contexts.